Gregory (Greg) Munks served as the sheriff of San Mateo County, California, for nearly a decade, during which time he instituted a number of successful initiatives. Striving to reduce recidivism in his community, Greg Munks spearheaded the opening of the innovative Maple Street Correctional Center and established the TAILS program.
Since 2009, the TAILS (Transitioning Animals Into Loving Situations) program has connected inmates living in minimum-security settings with shelter dogs from the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA). A joint program of PHS/SPCA and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, TAILS enables prisoners to learn empathy as they train and care for dogs with behavioral issues. As part of the program, PHS/SPCA sends dogs to live with inmate handlers for eight consecutive weeks. During this time, each handler is responsible for all of the dog’s care and training. This includes reinforcing obedience lessons taught by PHS/SPCA trainers during weekly classes. Through the work of their handlers, dogs overcome their behavioral issues, thus making them better candidates for adoption into permanent homes. Now in its 10th year, TAILS has placed over 100 dogs into loving homes.
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